Vignettes of the Deaf Character and Other Plays

The Universal Drum: A Dramatic Visual Poem with Drum Accompaniment

281 The Universal Drum A Dramatic Visual Poem with Drum Accompaniment [An actor comes on stage rolling a short barrel, tube, and/or a large bowl. A few people enter with a flexible drum head and use it like a minitrampoline , flinging up some object that is easy to bounce. Another person can bring on the fasteners or whatever is needed to secure the drum head over the barrel. Some could come in with bongos and tambourines. Others could use their own bodies as drumming instruments (slapping their thighs or chests, clapping hands, stomping their feet, or popping a hand against an open mouth). All of this could be done in a fun, entertaining way. One by one, the ensemble members develop an entrancing beat, which leads to a funky dance. As the dance dies down, members of the ensemble narrate this poem in American Sign Language while others voice in English, perhaps all choreographed to a background drumbeat. Specific percussive beats can be used to underscore or punctuate parts of the poem.] Drum. (Fingerspell.) D-R-U-M. Musical instrument of two membranes, called “heads” stretched over a frame lacing binds tightly over the frame Drums found all over the world since 6,000 B.C. 282 The Universal Drum in almost every culture the most precious of all musical instruments In Africa and Europe certain drums symbolize royalty In Asia, Russia, and Native American tribes drums are used for ceremonial dances In Deaf culture, a drum is the one musical instrument that reaches the heart of a deaf person Drums are universal creating strength and solidarity reflecting the rhythms of life: the dawning of a new day the setting of night Trees swaying in the breeze The rumble of thunderstorms A door slamming People walking Hearts beating Rhythms of life Strike the instrument with the hands and we can create [The ensemble acts out each of the following creations.] The Universal Drum 283 Music Rhythms Signals Marches Dances Conversations A drum can express who you are and who we are I’m deaf and I live in a Deaf world I’m hearing and I live in a hearing world [Deaf and hearing actor, simultaneously.] I’m Deaf and I live I’m hearing and I live in both worlds in both worlds Like the drum we are woven together in one place— Like the two drum heads fastened to the frame tight our hands reach out to both deaf and hearing worlds Using our drum to communicate we send our message to you . . . 284 The Universal Drum [Deaf and hearing actor, simultaneously.] Look Listen to the rhythm of our family Deaf . . . hearing equal connected united Production History The Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts’ Imagination Stage commissioned this performance piece for the Deaf Access Company in 2002. The goal was to offer a piece that was quick and simple to set up on tour, could be performed before deaf and hearing audiences, and would express the essence of the company. The first performance took place at the 24th Annual Benefit for Imagination Stage, which was held at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School on November 23, 2002. It was directed by Lisa Agogliati; the sign master/visual dramaturge was Donna Salamoff; and the music composers were Rachel and Henry Cross. The members of the Deaf Access Company included Alexis Beveridge Anna Bittencourt Annie Dillon Sarah Gumpert Aaron Fields Julie Miller The poem was published in Theatre for Young Audiences Today 17, no. 2 (2003): 10. ...